1934

Hammacher Schlemmer History

Miss Palmer is hired as Hammacher’s first female salesperson, a bold and considered by some almost scandalous employment practice for the time. Among the first customers she waited upon happened to be Lord Rothschild, who dropped in to buy an outdoor thermometer for one dollar and ended up purchasing over $500 worth of merchandise, including a white goatskin blanket-and-pillow set.

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U.S. History

The same year the Apollo Theater opens its doors in Harlem, New York City, Public Enemy Number One, John Dillinger, is gunned down in a shootout with the FBI outside of Chicago's famed Biograph Theatre.

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Extraordinary Items

In the same year Hammacher Schlemmer introduces the first Electric Dry Shaver and the first Electric Food Processor-the Waring Blender, created by musician Fred Waring-the Kitchen Closidor, a sturdy, compact cabinet that attaches to any door also makes its debut. "Cleverly fitted with well-planned shelves, clips, hooks and racks" it "makes a wonderfully convenient and orderly home for brooms, brushes, mops, etc." The all-steel kitchen model shown sells for $9.95.

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Media

This ad to support our "Unique Wares" catalog features our new Indirect Lamp, a wall bracket lamp that "can be hung up or taken down with as much ease as a small picture." Made of all aluminum with a 250-watt bulb, it sells for $6.95.